Locking means for receptacle closures



Feb. 18, 1930. E. E. WHITE 7,

LOCKING MEANS FOR RECEPT'ACLE CLOSURES Filed Sept. 13. 1928 g 3 7 ail 0 l X\& 2

Patented Feb. 18, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCKING MEANS FOR RECEPTACLE CLOSURES Application filed September 13, 1928. Serial No. 305,710.

The object of this invention is to provide novel efficient means whereby a container closure may be locked against unauthorized removal and the contents of the container guarded against theft. The invention is intended primarily for application to the fuel tanks of motor vehicles but may, of course, be applied to other receptacles. The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing and consists in certain novel features which will be hereinafter first fully described and then more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a structure embodying the inven tion, the closure being seated;

Figure 2 is a side elevation with the closure unseated Figure 3 is a top plan view with the filler tube entirely uncovered.

A portion of a tank is indicated at 1, said tank being provided with a filler tube 2 which is normally closed by a cap 3, the cap, in the present instance, having a threaded connection with the tube, although it may have merely a vertical sliding engagement therewith.

In carrying out the present invention, a band 4 is secured to and around the tube and has parallel outturned ends 5 between which a base block 6 is secured. The band 4 may be through the opening 8, the lower end of the stud being upset or otherwise provided with a flange 12 below the block whereby the lock case will be swiveled in the block. Disposed above the lock case is a keeper bar 13 having a recess 14 in its under side corresponding in form and dimensions to the lock case whereby the keeper may fit closely over the latter, as

shown in Fig. 1. Shackle rods 15 are secured in and depend from the keeper bar 13 to pass through the lock case and have their lower ends engaged in the openings 9, one of the rods having a recess 16 in one side to be engaged by the bolt 17 of a lock 18 which is .55 mounted in the lock case and may be of any preferred detail form. The keeper bar is preferably ofl'set vertically, as at 19, so as to fit close to the cap 3, and on the upper sideof the cap at the center thereof is a stud 20 rising through an opening provided therefor in the bar, the end of the stud being headed above the bar, as shown at 21, so that the cap will'be permanently attached to the bar by a swivel connection. It will now be understood that with the parts in the positions shown in Fig. 1, the cap is turned home on the filler tube and cannot be removed. The cap may rotate on the tube by reason of its concentric swive'led .7! connection with the keeper bar but vertical movement of the cap is necessary to release it from the tube and such movement cannot occur until the shackle rods are released from the lock. If the lock be released, rotation of the cap will cause it to ride upward on the tube and the keeper bar and shackle rods will move with it into the position shown in Fig. 2, whereupon the entire device may be turned about the stud 11 to the position shown in Fig. 3 where the cap will be supported out of the way and will not interfere with the pouring of liquid into and through the filling tube. A reverse sequence of movements will lock the cap on the tube.

It Will be noted that the cap is carried by the keeper bar and cannot be 16st. Inasmuch as two shackle rods are employed, the keeper bar will be guided in proper relation to the lock casing, and when the shackle rods are engaged in the block 6 the lock casing cannot turn. The keeper bar fits down over the top of the lock casing so that it cannot be easily pried off and the shackle rods cannot be reached with a file. Having fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with a filler tube, and its cap, of a keeper bar carrying the cap and mounted at one side of the tube for vertical and lateral swinging movement, and means for locking the keeper bar in lowered position with the cap on the tube.

2. The combination with a filler tube, and its cap, of a keeper bar carrying the cap, a lock casing swiveled at one side of the tube, a lock in said casing, and a shackle depending from the keeper bar into the casing to be engaged and held by the lock.

3. The combination with a filler tube, and its cap, of a base block fixed at one side of the tube, a lock casing mounted on the block, a lock in the casing, a keeper bar carrying the cap and having a recess in its under side whereby it may fit close down over th lock casing, and a shackle depending from the keeper bar into the lock casing to be engaged by the lock and secure the keeper bar in a lower position with the cap on the tube.

4. The combination with a filler tube, and its cap, of a base block fixed at one side of the tube, a lock casing swiveled to said block, a lock in said casing, a. keeper bar above the lock casing and carrying the cap, and shackle rods depending from the keeper bar through the lock casing to engage the base block at opposite sides of the swiveled connection of the lock casing therewith, one of said shackle rods being engaged by the lock to secure the keeper bar in lowered position with the cap on the tube.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification.

EDWVIN ELLIS WHITE. 

